ANC policy head Jeff Radebe would on Monday not discuss allegations that the politically connected Gupta family was influencing the appointment of Cabinet ministers.
"My understanding is that about two weeks ago, the top six ANC officials met with the Gupta family and I assume that this might be reported at the upcoming national executive committee that starts on Friday, 18 March, to what transpired there," he told reporters at an ANC breakfast in local government in Johannesburg.
"So I wouldn't want to venture as to what was discussed but I'm sure there will be a report... which is going to be discussed."
Radebe did not go into any more detail.
The Sunday Times reported this weekend that the Guptas, who are said to have close ties with President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders, offered Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas the ministry’s top job before Nhlanhla Nene was removed.
However, Jonas reportedly turned them down, the Sunday Times reported, in a follow-up to a story originally published by the Financial Times.
Shortly after the supposed meeting, President Jacob Zuma replaced Nene with ANC backbencher and former Merafong mayor Des van Rooyen.
The Guptas have denied meeting Jonas.
During a Cabinet reshuffle last year, Zuma replaced Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi with another ANC MP, Mosebenzi Zwane, who was said to have ties to the Guptas.
Ramatlhodi was moved into the late Collins Chabane's public service and administration portfolio. Zwane allegedly played a role in the private jet carrying guests for a Gupta wedding in Sun City, landing at Waterkloof Airforce Base in 2013. When he was Free State agriculture MEC his department reportedly started a multi-million rand dairy project in the province, also with ties to the family.
ANC policy chief declines to comment on Gupta rumours
"My understanding is that about two weeks ago, the top six ANC officials met with the Gupta family and I assume that this might be reported at the upcoming national executive committee that starts on Friday, 18 March, to what transpired there," he told reporters at an ANC breakfast in local government in Johannesburg.
"So I wouldn't want to venture as to what was discussed but I'm sure there will be a report... which is going to be discussed."
Radebe did not go into any more detail.
The Sunday Times reported this weekend that the Guptas, who are said to have close ties with President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders, offered Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas the ministry’s top job before Nhlanhla Nene was removed.
However, Jonas reportedly turned them down, the Sunday Times reported, in a follow-up to a story originally published by the Financial Times.
Shortly after the supposed meeting, President Jacob Zuma replaced Nene with ANC backbencher and former Merafong mayor Des van Rooyen.
The Guptas have denied meeting Jonas.
During a Cabinet reshuffle last year, Zuma replaced Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi with another ANC MP, Mosebenzi Zwane, who was said to have ties to the Guptas.
Ramatlhodi was moved into the late Collins Chabane's public service and administration portfolio. Zwane allegedly played a role in the private jet carrying guests for a Gupta wedding in Sun City, landing at Waterkloof Airforce Base in 2013. When he was Free State agriculture MEC his department reportedly started a multi-million rand dairy project in the province, also with ties to the family.
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